HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2020, 9:00 AM
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Mayor Andrew Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, Danni Swanson and Carol Wagner. Others in attendance were Tamara Shelton and Stacy J. Grube.
This Special Meeting was streamed love on Facebook to allow public access to the meeting due to COVID-19; Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of Emergency on March 13, 2020. And on March 16, 2020 Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-04 providing the temporary closure of “places of public accommodation”.
Approval of Agenda
Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the agenda with the addition of closing playground equipment, length of time for closure of City Office & Community Center and RLF payments. Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Extend Declaration of Emergency – Resolution 2020 – 5
WHEREAS, the virus named COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a National Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of Emergency to authorize all necessary resources to be used in support of the COVID-19 response; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has been identified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, and the United States Centers for Disease Control has provided guidance for individuals, healthcare professionals, and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared an Emergency Executive Order directing Minnesotans to stay at home beginning at 11:59 pm on March 27, 2020 through April 10, 2020 at 5:00 pm, except to engage in the Activities and Critical Sector Work; an
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW RASCHE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HERON LAKE, HEREBY PROCLAIM:
- The City Staff is directed to review ordinance and regulatory requirements, operations, civil and legal proceedings, events, and resources to determine whether the foregoing should be adjusted or suspended, and to make recommendations regarding additional emergency regulations to support the employees and residents of the City of Heron Lake.
- All City departments and offices are directed to operate and support the response to this incident, under the direction of the City Council, including implementing new employee protocols, strategies, and processes to ensure that public services are maintained.
- Directs the City Clerk/Treasurer and other appropriate City staff to request and coordinate appropriate aid and resources from surrounding jurisdictions, Jackson County, the State of Minnesota, and the Federal government, as needed.
- Declares, under Minnesota Statues, Section 13D.021, that in-person meetings of the City Council and other advisory boards of the City of Heron Lake are not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 health pandemic and the peacetime emergency declared by Governor Walz pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 12, and hereby directs that meetings of the City Council and other advisory boards of the City shall be conducted by telephone or other electronic means, as necessary and hereby directs City Staff to take such action as may be necessary to enable such meetings to occur via telephone or other electronic means pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.021, until such time as it is no longer impractical or imprudent for the City Council and other advisory boards to resume in-person meetings.
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve Resolution 2020 – 5, extending the Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency until such time as it is no longer impractical or imprudent for the City council and other advisory boards to resume in-person meetings. Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Council Meetings
The City council meeting scheduled for April 8, 2020 will take place via video, with Council Members present in Council Chambers and social distancing guidelines followed.
City Staffing
City staffing will remain as is currently scheduled. Office hours at city office will remain 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday. Public may contact City staff by phone, to set up an appointment if necessary.
Utilities
Discussion was held regarding water, sewer and garbage utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are unable to make payments during the pandemic, discussion was held on waiving late fees and turn-offs of water.
Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve waiving late fees and water turn-offs for non-payment at this time. Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Non-Essential Boards/Committees
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the suspension of Non-Essential Boards/Committees Meetings. Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
City Office and Community Center
City Office and Community Center will remain closed to the public until May 1, 2020 in accordance with Executive Order 20-18 enacted by Governor Tim Walz. Office hours at city office will remain 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday. The public may contact city staff by phone, to set up an appointment to be seen if necessary. City Office may also be contacted via email at cityoffice@heronlakecity.org
City Park Equipment
City Park Equipment will be closed to the public as of 3/27/2020 in accordance with Executive Order 20-20 enacted by Governor Tim Walz directing Minnesotans to “Stay at Home”.
Revolving Loan Fund
Discussion was held regarding waiving RLF loan payments due to the CVOID-19 pandemic and the hardships that the businesses are encountering during this time.
Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche, to approve waiving RLF
payments for April 2020 and May 2020 with no late charges or added interest. Payments for April and May 2020 will be added to the end of the amortization schedule for loans if payments for April and May are not made by loan holders. Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Adjourn
Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to adjourn at 9:10 AM. Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: 4/8/2020
Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner